The Mancunian Way: When pollution spikes

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by BETH ABBIT - Thurs July 21, 2022

Hello,

Should children be kept out of school when pollution reaches a certain level? One mum, living with her nine-year-old daughter in polluted Longsight, certainly thinks so.

We’ll be discussing that story, looking at how skate parks can be friendlier for girls and delving into Stockport’s past in today’s newsletter.

Ruth Todhunter’s daughter Jess attends a school on Northmoor Road and suffers from breathing issues. She is worried about pollution levels outside the classroom so used a Zephyr Monitor to record nitrogen dioxide levels and found they regularly peaked as high as 300 ug/m3. EU law dictates that hourly spikes should not exceed 200 µg/m3 more than 18 times a year.

Ruth told environment reporter Charlotte Cox that pollution levels were worse in sunny weather. "This has long-term effects on our lungs and can cause asthma attacks. We need more measuring and monitoring in schools. We need to look at the issue of how parents and teachers can protect children when there are spikes,” she says.

"Potentially schools should have to shut in Manchester when there are high levels of pollution. Schools should consider shutting for the day. Schools should limit the children at school and people on the roads during episodes," she says.

"There should also be more understanding for vulnerable children, like those with asthma, to take time off. I know this has impacts on work and emergency worker's children should still attend. But what if a child dies at